The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-10-21

AsHEvILLE.
In the several speeches which Presl
dent CIey eland has made during his trip
through the West and South lie has
shown, not only familiarity, but an in
terest in the statistics of the result OF
local enterprise, all of which he well
! characterizes as an exhibit of true Amer
} lean endeavor. Any data to which he
may have turned for information con
cerning Asheville could not furnish him
with true insight into the rapid develop
ment of the city and of Western North
Carolina unless he has been a constant
reader of the CITIZEN; and even then, the
growth of the place since he started upon
his journey would be overlooked. The
CITIZEN, therefore, avails itself of the
opportunity afforded by his visit to the
city and section to mention a few mat
tiers of interest. more particularly of the
city.
1870.
In 1880 was 1926.
In 1887, first of january was 1918,
and in October, over 5000.
In 1882 the fist rail road reached Ashe-
vile, the first which crossed the Blue
Ridge in Western Carolina.
In 1884 three railroads centered here,
and in 1886 another was added, giving
direct communication with the East,
South, West and Northwest.
1t is noted as a health resort, Summer
and Winter, and over $4,000 people, from
all sections, came to the city during the
past twelve months, as evidenced by the
rail road tickets sold to this place.
We have as fine hotels as are in the
country, and more of them than any
Southern point can boast.
We have electric lights, gas works,
extensive water-works, soon will have a
street railway system. Have large shoe
factory the make of which goes to this
and adjoining States; mammoth cotton
! factory in course of erection, very large
tobacco warehouses. and a number of
tobacco factories; five banking institu-
tons, doing a very large business; the
handsOmest residences in the Stale; more
buildings, of an expensive character
now going up than any point in the
State can boast; our population consists
of N0rtherners and Southerners, for.
eignerS and natives, not excluding the
"heathen Chinee," all of whom flourish
and enjoy life in this favored spot; some
are republicans in politics, we regret to
say, but all make useful citizens in ali
save their politics; there are also some
few independents" here, who though
noisy, under our splendid climate are
| permitted to exist As an evidence that
! people do well here one of our respected
| citizens a shoemaker who still sticks to
his last, took in the Paris exposition a
few years back, and extended his trip to
GERMANY and New TerS 4y
The products of this country are won
| derful. In truits, timbers, vegetables and
tobacco our section has taken first pre-
miums at Vienna, Boston, Philadelphia
Centennial, and Atlanta.
Our apples weigh 80 ounces-a "bust"
of one of which can be seen in the
Smithsonian Institute; our walnut trees
have produced $2S,000 worth of timber
to the tree,-sold in your own New York
! City;-if you ever eat Baltimore beef
much of it comes from Western North
( LaroIIna; "Buncombe" cabbage are
known and relished throughout the
squash, raised in Haywood county
and which it is desired Mrs. Cleveland
shall have f2~ her Jersey COW.
We have, just completed. one of the
finest Female College Buildings in the
South, in which is conducted one Of the
best schools in the country; we will soon
have first t-class graded schools for both
races; have excellent private male and
female schools; have churches for all the
orthodox denominations, and Il few
'miSerable sinners" Our county has
more iron bridges over her large streams
than can be found in any couEty South
of the Potomac or Ohio.
We have excellent county buildings,
but-we say it deferentlally-we need a
federal courthouse, decent post-ofiice
and deputy collectors office. Our pres
ent inadequate post-otiice not only has to
serve the 5000 resident population, and
the immense number of visitors. bat at
leas: four to five thousand res dents out
side and surrounding the city limits.
We have more comparatively small
industries than any city of the South,
and these are tlourishing. Our laborcrs
all are employed and contentcd.
Now Mr.. President, We give cnly I
brief and very inadequate outline of the
attractions of our city and country. We
should nave mentioned our climate, our
uneXcelled mountain scenery, and our
trout fishing. 1t is with all due modesty
that we claim for our mountains and
trout fishing full equality with, if not
superiority over your own cherished
Adironda.ks. Come and see for Yourself
Accept our greetings, and benediction
for you and yours, and our great and
good country.